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There is a spring in the step of Liverpool supporters these days. The free-scoring side that Brendan Rodgers is fostering has turned heads all around and, as legendary striker Robbie Fowler rightly pointed out, it has returned the aura around Anfield. The team looks more than comfortable playing home-fixtures, finishing off opponents with a swagger and much of it is due to the exciting brand of football that they have adopted. The modern equivalent of the traditional Liverpool style that involves quick-passing and mobility on and off the ball.
The hope and enthusiasm that surrounds this team also springs from the fact that it is a team full of budding talent. The likes of Raheem Sterling, Jordan Henderson, Philippe Coutinho and Jon Flanagan have stepped into senior shoes with relative ease and look the part. Rodgers as well as the owners of the club deserve praise for investing such confidence in this bunch of players. Liverpool celebrated Christmas at the top of the table, and while that may not prophecy a title-winning campaign, it does clearly reflect the form that the team displayed over 2013. The real metamorphosis began in the January window of 2013 with the arrival of Coutinho and Sturridge that sparked a string a uplifting results culminating in the mature annihilation of Tottenham near the end of 2013.
Liverpool’s achievements, however, need to be placed in a larger context that was provided by consecutive losses against Manchester City and Chelsea. The quality of Liverpool’s resistance against Manchester City was exemplary and they could have easily rescued 1 or all 3 points from that game. However, the Reds must take those results in a spirit of acceptance and learning. The first lesson is that the squad needs re-enforcement. Liverpool have suffered through injuries and while players have stepped up, it is not ideal that Brad Smith is forced to come-off the bench to make his Premier League debut in a crunch game. The fact that Rodgers struggles to prepare the 18-man squad for a game is indicative of how thin the squad is.
Liverpool are striving for Champions League football and the mentality must change accordingly. Liverpool need to give their players quality competition within the squad so as to compete in multiple tournaments in the future. The squad needs a slight overhaul so that the bit-part players, those who just fill positions and are always going to be there and thereabouts rather than the finished article, can be replaced by more exciting and skilled talent. Rodgers has already shown this positive attitude in his transfer dealings by parting with Stewart Downing and Jonjo Shelvey. Here is a list of five players that Liverpool can sell in 2014.
5. Victor Moses
The opinion about Moses is undivided among Anfield loyals. His loan spell at Anfield from Chelsea has been forgettable and has turned bitter now as reports come-in that it might even stall Bertrand’s possible transfer in this January window. Rodgers has been unfairly criticized for not giving the forward enough chances as he has started Premier league matches without impressing. He seems selfish with the ball and is not buying into Rodgers’ system the fundamental tenet of which is short incisive passing and possession football. He started his campaign positively with a calm and composed finish against Swansea but the early debut goal did not do much for the Nigerian who faded astonishingly. His lack of form allowed Raheem Sterling to claw his way back into the first team and Moses has rightly warmed the bench since apart from glum substitute appearances. It became apparent that Moses did not take this decision in a positive spirit in the FA Cup tie against Oldham which he started. Brendan Rodgers’ has proved that he doesn’t give up on players. Jordan Henderson and Martin Skrtel have redeemed themselves after being sidelined and have been rewarded by the manager’s trust.
The ideal option for Liverpool at this stage would have been to terminate his loan spell and recall the likes of Suso and Oussama Assaidi who have been delivering on their loan spells at Almeria and Stoke respectively. While that remains highly unlikely, Liverpool will do well to part with the Nigerian in the summer and fill the gap adequately.
4. Fabio Borini
Fabio Borini has had a long-standing relation with Brendan Rodgers and the boss seems to have high hopes from the Italian. His opening season with Liverpool was marred by injury but he did grab a goal at the fag-end of the last season which would have boosted his morale. He is a poacher with potential and he has exhibited that during his loan-spell at Sunderland where he put in a critical goal in the derby against Newcastle. He piled further injury, to the cheer of the Reds, upon Manchester United rolling in a penalty in the first leg of the semi-final of Capital One cup. However, he has failed to make the first team regularly for Sunderland ahead of Jozy Altidore, a striker who has been struggling for goals, and that does not speak well of his abilities. Moreover, the sound bytes emerging that he wants a return back to Italy are not doing his case any good. He has age on his side and he can be a potential understudy to Sturridge and Suarez next season but nothing more. Add to that the possibility of Suarez leaving and Sturridge’s vulnerability to injury and that calls for a new ready-to-go striker. Borini will have his share of suitors and Liverpool must make sure that they get the right price on him in the summer.
3. Iago Aspas
Brendan Rodgers bought Iago Aspas from Celta Vigo weeks before the current season began which meant that he had a good acclimatization period to adapt to the philosophy of the manager as well as the ways of the club. He played the pre-season with relative success scoring goals and filling his boots. Naturally, he was in the first team when the season began as Luis Suarez served his suspension on the sidelines. Wearing the legendary no. 9 jersey at Anfield, he was poised for success but it wasn’t to be. He was pushed, trampled upon, battered as he failed to adapt himself to the physicality and the speed of the Premier League. His performances were characterized by misplaced passes, repeated loss of possession and lost battles. Since there is nothing worse than having a team that doesn’t trust the player at the head of the pitch, he was naturally sidelined until the FA cup game against Oldham in which he found some reprieve. Playing against a lesser side, Aspas saved himself from becoming the second no. 9 at Liverpool who failed to score in an entire season (a dubious distinction held by El Hadji Diouf). It remains to be seen if that performance instills confidence in him but I do not see him as a player who can play the Champions League for us next year.
Aspas might not find many more chances in the Premier League given that Sturridge is likely to make a return next week. He will have his chances in the FA cup but will that be enough to convince Liverpool supporters? I don’t think so. At age 26, he should have been a finished article who had goals in him at this level. Swansea are reportedly interested in his signature and recovering the 7 mn. fee that Liverpool gave for him would be an achievement.
2. Daniel Agger
Easily the most controversial selection in this list. Daniel Agger has been a vital part of Liverpool for the last few seasons and he formed an excellent partnership with Martin Skrtel but his limitations have been exposed this season. The Dane is vulnerable to lapses in aerial situations and often loses his man during set-piece situations. His ability to distribute the ball from the back is decent but his lack of pace means that he cannot be employed as a left-back as we found out in the game against Chelsea. He would still be an asset for any football club and hence we can make some monetary recovery which makes good business sense. Barcelona and Napoli have been linked to the Danish man which means that there is some space for a transfer battle which is always profitable to the selling club. With Martin Skrtel, Sakho, Kolo Toure, Martin Kelly, Sebastian Coates and Andre Wisdom in the Liverpool ranks there is no shortage of options in the center-back position.
1. Glen Johnson
The England international was not a long time back one of the best, if not the best, right-backs in the Premier league. However, his performances in the first half of the season have been appalling marked by casual touches, lazy decision making and tentativeness on the ball. Johnson’s attacking attributes have always concealed his defensive weaknesses. He could mount pressure on the opposition with energetic runs on the flank providing support to attacking players. He could deliver quality crosses and also had an occasional blinder long-range shot in him like against West Ham last season. The cause of the worrying decline in his form can be a troubling knock that he picked up or the lack of competition for his right-back position but I am afraid that his contract situation seems a more probable cause. Johnson has refused to take a wage-cut and the new policy that the owners are implementing at the club means that they are reluctant to keep a 30 year old at such exorbitant wages. The fact that his contract expires in 2015 means that the club can make some money on him now. Arsenal are reportedly interested in his services but more interest given his experience is imminent. Liverpool would do well to part with him.
